My Gracious and Faithful Father, how long and wide is Your love for me! So much so that it’s immeasurable and beyond the capacity of my mind to understand. That’s the backdrop of the life I live. How cool is that!
Some exciting stuff awaits me and my church this week. Our new Pastor, Pastor Joe, will preach his first sermon to my church. He’s been working with staff, but the congregation at large is just meeting him. You have good things planned for us. You tell me in Your Word “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” That truth applies to every facet of my life, which includes my church, whether I see it at this moment in time or not.
I pray that You fill our church with joy, love, and excitement, welcoming Pastor Joe, his wife, Morgan, and their daughters Malia, Miller, and Mollie. I also pray for Pastor Joe, that You fill him with joy, love, excitement—along with peace. It must be a little nerve racking to preach to a new church for the first time. I know I would be nervous. I’d be thinking what do they expect, how will I meet their expectations, will they like me!?!
But You, Lord, are God. You are the One leading him. You are the One guiding Pastor Joe’s heart and mind. I pray Pastor Joe obeys You and shares with us what You put on his heart. I pray that he pastors our church as You would have him do. I’m excited to see, hear and experience what You have planned for us.
Holy Spirit, open my mind and heart, encourage me as to what lies ahead, and move me to draw closer to You, to seek You like I’ve never sought You before.
You, God Almighty, are good and generous. How will You not give me and my church what we need. In that I have complete confidence.
May You bless Pastor Joe as he leads Your church. May he clearly hear Your voice and be stirred by The Holy Spirit in his heart and mind. May You bless Him and keep him. May You make Your face shine upon him and be gracious to him. May You turn Your face towards him and grant him peace.
In the Always Faithful Name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen.
